Our next stop - Nammooru Bengalooru! Banaswadi
Anjaneya temple, located at Banaswadi in Bangalore is where we are headed. One
of the oldest temples in Bangalore, the Banaswadi temple is a favoured pilgrim
destination for many. We land there on a Saturday morning, and find it packed. It
is a small temple, and there is not much space to find your way about. Even the
location of the temple itself is at the end of a small galley (alley) and the roads that lead to the temple are quite
small. We have to stop a few times to ask for directions and even head off in
the wrong direction for a bit before we enter the correct lane. Thankfully, the
temple has a parking arrangement. However, the space available is limited, and
there could be a crunch on crowded days like festivals. If you are on a bike,
you can accommodate it, but with cars, things can get tricky.
The presiding deity Hanuman is a great favourite. Many
flock to the Banaswadi Hanuman to fulfil vows of betel leaf garlands, vada garlands, offerings of butter and annadanam, or meal sponsoring. To the
faithful, Lord Hanuman hears prayers instantaneously, and grants boons to all
those who seek him. He is known famously as the dasa, or humble servant of Lord Rama, and the son of Pavan, the God
of wind. Hanuman dispels fear from the mind, and blesses his devotees with
strength in both mind and body.
The threshold of the temple has vendors who sell flowers,
coconuts and other offerings. As we enter the temple, there is a small office to
the right, where you can buy the tokens for offerings and special prayers. Turn
left to face a small passage that leads queues to the sanctum sanctorum. There are
two taps attached to the wall for devotees to wash their hands and feet, as you
enter the passage. We pause to wash our hands and feet, and move ahead to enter
the sanctum.
The shrine is quite small, with people jostling for
space. You will simply have to find a convenient spot and make yourself
comfortable. Most people just crowd around the sanctum, making it difficult to
catch a glimpse of the Lord, unless you have a height that is above average. The
best thing to do in the situation is to wait till you are able to get a
darshan, and then move on, so that others behind you can have their turn. We
stand on our toes, toddle around a bit, and finally catch sight of the Lord. The
idol of Hanuman is carved on black stone, covered with silver, and decorated
with many flower garlands. He has a silver crown upon his head. The naamam, the three vertical marks of a
Vaishnavite adorns his forehead The Vaishnava symbols of the shanku (conch) and chakra (disc) appear on either side of the idol. His right arm is
raised in blessing and his left hand is placed on his waist.
Having had our fill of the sight of the Lord, we go
ahead with the circumambulation or pradakshanam.
As we walk around, we spot the small idols of
Hanuman, which are placed on the wall around the sanctum, adorned with paper
garlands. Devotees have tied up small bits of paper, and tied them all together
to create garlands. The slips of paper doubtlessly contain the prayer, ‘Sri
Rama Jayam’, (victory to Sri Rama) written several times. Upon the walls hang paintings
of Hanuman, Lord Rama, and the classic picture of Sri Rama, Sita Devi, and
Lakshmana. Some are hand painted, and are exquisitely done. We spend a few
minutes craning our necks to admire the paintings, and then head out.
After exiting the Hanuman sannidhi, we move to visit the other shrines in the temple. As is
the custom in most Hindu temples, there is the presence of other Gods in the
temple compound. It goes without saying that Lord Rama, Sita Devi, and
Lakshmana also reside here. As we walk out, the path leads straight to the sannidhi of the trinity of Lord Rama Sita
Devi, and Lakshmana. We spend a few minutes at the sanctum softly chanting the
Rama naama and walk ahead to pay
obeisance to Lord Shiva at his shrine.
The temple offers free meals to devotees. We spot
the building that houses the dining hall right after we circumambulate the
temple. All are welcome to partake of the meals that are considered prasadam of Lord Anjaneya. Darshan completed, we slowly step out,
pick up our bike, and head home.
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